| Sweet Rapture, Chapter 1 - 6 - ?Ms Petrovna, this is Alessandra Akhtar, I am so sorry. I ran behind schedule and I will be a few minutes late.? She hung up and walked back to the sofa to put her shoes on, ignoring Arianna?s puzzled look. ?I am sorry Arianna, I have to go. I?ll call you later? ?Hold on! What?s going on? Don?t shut me out, I won?t tolerate it!? ?I am following your orders my love. You wanted the Great Krista Petrovna as a valuable customer, now will be your chance. I?m meeting her for dinner at 8:00 and I need to get ready. Therefore, I must go and will speak to you later.? Alessandra stated sarcastically. Alessandra did not wait for an answer, instead, she walked out and, hailed a cab to drive her to her apartment in Greenwich Village. Once home, she opened the door and threw her briefcase and jacket on a chair. Absently, she removed her suit and silk tank top, dropping them to the floor, and unhooked her lace bra, then lowered her panties and dropped them in a heap near her discarded clothes. Glancing at the answering machine she noticed two messages awaiting her. With a tired sigh, she walked away as she was not in the mood to listen to them now. She entered her bathroom and turned the shower on. Her apartment was small, but ravishing to the eye. The living room was decorated with Asian antiques, while photographs of one striking Native American woman in traditional garb covered her bedroom walls. She was majestic in her buckskin dress adorned with colorful beads patterns and fringes. Two eagle feathers were hanging from her long raven hair. A picture of that same woman standing next to an old battered old chevy truck was in a bronze frame on the night table. She was clad in a simple white tee-shirt, blue jeans, and cowboy boots. A bone and silver choker was around her neck and her shiny hair was pulled back in a single braid. Her smile was captivating. ~~~~~~ Krista waited at the bar, sipping a martini. The bartender was trying to impress her. He was clad in black clothes, the usual uniform for a trendy place like this one. She smiled at him and flirted back, after all she was accustomed to these innocent games. One advantage about being a classical performer is being known only by a certain class of people. Although accustomed to being the center of attention, she was apprehensive. ?What am I doing? Alessandra Akhtar was probably interested in only a business deal,? her mind tried to reason. Yet, she could not forget the hide and seek game their eyes played during the party and the erotic tension that emerged during their afternoon meeting. ?The mind could lie but their bodies could not ignore the fire,? she thought as she closed her eyes and let out a long sigh. ~~~~~~ Alessandra entered the restaurant and scanned the room noticing Krista sitting at the bar involved in a conversation with the bartender as she laughed politely. She motioned the bar as a Maître d? approached her and strolled toward it confidently. Krista?s hazel eyes lit up when the exotic woman arrived. ?Ms Petrovna ... may I call you Krista, I am so sorry to be so late. It is not a habit of mine, I assure you. I hope you have not been waiting long.? Alessandra sat next to Krista and smiled graciously. ?Don?t worry, I was in good hands.? Krista gestured to the bartender. ?Would you like a drink?? ?I?ll have the same? She pointed toward the martini, an indication to the bartender of her order, before he nodded and reluctantly walked away. Krista smiled and picked up her drink. Alessandra admired the long and delicate fingers gently holding the glass. ?Definitely a musician?s hand,? she thought. The bartender returned with the martini and stayed with them. Krista frowned in annoyance and wished for him to get lost, but he seemed clueless. He addressed Alessandra in a seductive tone of voice. ?Are you in the classical business too?? ?I did unearth a few classical beauties in my lifetime.? She replied graciously as Krista chuckled at the comment. ?Are you an agent?? the bartender glanced at her quizzically. One of hostesses came to lead them to their table before Alessandra could reply. She turned to him before leaving and winked at him mirthfully. On their way to the dining room, she noticed Kenji Sakura sitting in the cigar lounge. She felt her breath coming raw in her throat and wanted to confront him, but then decided against it. The hostess sat them in a corner booth under an elaborate exotic floral arrangement. The scent of white lilies and orchids was intoxicating. Krista noticed the stress lines forming on Alessandra?s brow and her troubled gaze. She covered Alessandra?s hand with her own. ?Are you alright?? She inquired concerned. The young archeologist nodded at her with open fondness and smiled dreamily. They barely touched their food. Alessandra learned that Krista was born in Vienna, but had lived in London for most of her years. She was thirty four years old, had been married once to a famous German actor, but their marriage did not last as Krista would not give up her profession to become a full time wife and mother. Once the divorce was final five years ago, she moved back to her birthplace to concentrate on her career. She loved ancient art and in particular, Persian art, from the first Darius Dynasty. Upon hearing this, Alessandra explained that she had some knowledge of the era; however she was not an expert. Despite her lack of expertise, she offered to make an appointment with another consultant specializing in ancient Middle Eastern art to handle any potential transactions. Krista concealed her disappointment of not seeing her again. ?Is the Tang Horse your first Chinese acquisition?? she inquired. ?No, I have various other pieces bought from your company. I own a lady of waiting and a groom from the same Dynasty. While in concert in Beijing last year, I went to an exhibition where I discovered a new passion for Chinese Art. ?Is your collection recorded?? Alessandra asked, her interest renewed. ?I could study it and provide you with recommendations towards future purchases.? |
